Rating: 4.0

Law Ma has crafted an ensemble kung-fu comedy that has a good number of intricately constructed showdowns and a few moments that manage true pathos rather than tacked on emotion.

‘Boxer’s Adventure’ is another entertaining kung fu film from the 70s that delivers some outstanding action scenes. If you are a fan of the genre then this is an ideal choice to fill the gaps in your collection.

A unique coming of age tale and a wonderfully creative and fully realised fantasy world combine to deliver a rewarding and touching anime.

Beginning somewhat sombre and low key before exploding into a cavalcade of colour and crazy (talking) creatures, ‘The Boy And The Heron’ is pure unbridled Miyazaki.

‘The Buddha Assassinator’ offers little new in terms of storyline or narrative twists. What it does offer though is some top-quality action from a very able set of actors and another classic stand-off between hero and villain.

‘The Bullet Train’ delivers a lot of thrilling spectacle and drama nearly fifty years after its initial release.

‘The Butcher, the Chef & the Swordsman’ may be an uneven yoking of brilliance and banality, but it is so heavily stacked in favour of the former that this still proves to be a film of great interest.

Although it can often be overlooked by Ghibli enthusiasts simply because of the ‘Lupin’ label, ‘The Castle Of Cagliostro’ is a film that should really be seen by all Miyazaki or anime fans in general.

What makes it work so well, at least for me, is the ease with which it taps into the child in all of us and creates a rip-roaring adventure that is fun for all the family.

If you’re in the mood for a crazy adventure filled with amusing characters and extraordinary ideas, then you can’t go far wrong with any of the films in this quartet.

Criminally overlooked and underrated East meets West actioner that has some fine pedigree, gave Scott Glenn one of his best leading roles and even introduced one Steven Seagal to the world of movies.

It’s no surprise that this Tsui Hark comedy was a box-office smash as it allows the viewer to enjoy superior character interaction and sharp comic routines.